The Classic Camera

Wanted binoculars. Helpful people. Know their products. Good advice and competitive pricing. I now have a lovely pair of Zeiss 8x42

Avoid. They need lessons on customer service and loyalty. I bought a secondhand Leica lens cap for my wife's lens a few weeks back for £20. I didn't have the lens with me so couldn't confirm the fit. I also bought some £100 in secondhand Leica filters at the same time. I asked the younger sales assistant if I could return the cap for a refund if it didn't fit. He said I could. I went back last week with the cap as it didn't fit. Both sales staff sat behind the counter chatting to one another and couldn't be bothered to stand or greet me. When I explained and asked for the refund or a credit note, the "portly" one gruffly said "we don't give refunds for this sort of stuff" and turned away to continue chatting with the other younger guy.

I must have spent thousands in that shop over the last 20 years or so. For the sake of £20, they have lost any future business from me and I recommend others to stay away. There are better Leica and FujiFilm dealers in London and elsewhere.

Avoid, AVOID, A-V-O-I-D! A month to repair a new Zeiss lens (£620) that failed after three weeks' normal, experienced, careful use. No exchange/refund offered (within consumer rights to demand but didn't as I'm a decent human being) and not even a loan lens (this was my first and only lens for my new Leica M so couldn't use the camera for a month).

Salesman who wrote returns note incorrectly copied serial number down resulting in further delays and direct emails from Zeiss in Germany querying why I was returning a lens different to the one on the paperwork.

Much of the stock also in sealed boxes and not available to demo - they just expect you to take a chance and buy it.

I won't ever buy from them again and I advise you to be very very very careful if you do.

Both my friend and I walked in to this shop with cameras and were genuinely interested in lenses. The range there was good, but when no one can be bothered to get off their arse to say 'hi' then that is reason enough to leave. Two staff sat behind the counter with one other person in the shop - chatting about photography at gigs. We looked over several times trying to get their attention and eventually I was just met with a flat stare. Cheers though, money will still be spent, just elsewhere.

I was served by an incredibly rude staff member when I came to have my camera sensor checked (camera bought second hand it that same shop). Do not know what pushed him on that side of the fence but it does not seem sunny there. He took me for an idiot implying that Leica was kind enough to replace faulty sensors to second hand owners. Working in a shop he should be aware that consumer protective laws require that warranties are transferred along with ownership. I do not recommend coming here for advises.

What a great shop. The staff are very helpful and knowledgeable. They do not give you the big hard sell, like some shops. They sold me what I needed rather than what I thought I wanted!. Far better experience than some of the online and chain main street retailers. Touché for the independent store. I will certainly recommend and go back.

One of the best independent camera shops in the UK. Not a high street catch all, you will find only the best quality cameras here from Fuji, Leica, & Sony. Knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Excellent camera shop. Knowledgeable staff who don't suffer fools. Good for Leica and mirrorless camera and accessories. Expensive.

The rudest staff in London. They treat everyone with distain and indifference.

They think they know everything but they don't and act as though you are an idiot.

I was going to buy a Leica from this shop but after visiting I decided against it. I went to Richard Caplan instead, it's a nicer shop whose staff went out of their way to help me. I would rather travel to Scotland to buy a camera than here.

Mixed feelings. The fat bloke was really rude and unhelpful. Whereas the younger sales assistant, Jackson, was really helpful. Its really down to who attends to you I guess.

I’ve purchased lenses for the public broadcasting and it was part of an international procurement. Deadlines were very tight and thanks to the guys at the Classic Camera it went smoothly. They are very knowledgeable, helpful and very trust worthy. We got the lenses for the right time, quality of the products and customer service were the best. I’m definite that we will do business with the Classic Camera in the future as well. Thank you!